Kitchen Knife Reviews- 2017’s Best Kitchen Knives

Throughout the years, manufacturers have created some awesome items that have proven to be extremely helpful in the home. There is no doubt that the kitchen knife fits into that category. Without the best kitchen knives, it is nearly impossible to prepare those delicious meals that you and your family love so much. Of course, attempting to purchase the very best knives can be a little difficult since there are so many different ones to choose from. How is one supposed to make this purchase? By following the guide below, you will learn everything you need to know to make the right purchase for your household.

Your Precise Needs

Before you begin delving into the various types of knives, it is essential to take the time to explore your own personal needs. Everyone needs and wants something different. With this in mind, it is time to begin formulating a list of desires for your kitchen knives. Below, you will find specific concerns to thoroughly analyze before moving forward.

Your Budget – Kitchen knives can quite expensive if you base this decision on guesswork. The overall price is increased even more if you are interested in purchasing an entire set! It is absolutely essential to make sure that you formulate a budget first! By doing this, you will ensure that you get the very best kitchen knife for your available budget. Plus, you will also narrow your selections a little, which saves some time.

Your Everyday Diet – No, this does not have anything to do with your diet or health. Instead, you need to make sure that you know the precise knives that you need. Each particular knife is specifically designed for an exact task, such as cutting through bread or steak. Therefore, you will need to know the exact foods that you are going to cook on a regular basis. This will ensure that you are able to obtain a specific knife for every occasion.

How Often You Normally Cook – Are you the type of person that cooks almost every meal at home? If this is the case, you should put a little more effort into this process. However, if you do not cook too much at home, you will not have to worry too much either! Knowing the frequency that you cook meals at home will ensure that you select the exact knives to serve you the best!

Answering the questions above will prove to be very beneficial. By doing so, you will already have eliminated some knives from your options. Below, you will find more information to help guide you further.

Things to Consider For Kitchen Knives

Once you have finished the above process, it is time to explore the various characteristics of kitchen knives. By learning about the different components, you will have a much easier time choosing the right knives for you. Each of these components will be explored in more depth below.

Edge – The edge is the portion of the blade, so it actually performs the cutting. The middle part of the edge is responsible for cutting and slicing. Make sure that you always take precautions and steps to protect the edge at all times. After use, it should be hand washed and dried immediately after. Honing the blade is vital, before every use.

Handle – Obviously, this is the portion of the knife that you hold onto. Be sure to choose a knife that offers a good grip. The handle shouldn’t slip around in your hand. A sufficient amount of grip and friction is necessary.

Bolster – This is a thick band of steel, which is placed onto the forged knife. It can help provide a little extra balance and ensure that no accidental slips and cuts occur.

Heel – This is the edge close to the handle. By relying on this specific portion of the knife, you can add pressure and cut through various foods. Be sure to utilize a chopping block when cutting foods in this manner, so you do not scuff up your countertop.

Blade Tip – This is the very front of the blade. It is particularly suitable for cutting small foods and delicate foods. It is also excellent for piercing. This portion of the blade will be a little more fragile. Therefore, you will need to treat it with caution and respect!

Spine – This is the top of the blade, which sits in the opposite of the edge. It is possible to apply some pressure on this part of the knife, only to cut through certain foods.

The Tang – And finally, you have the tang. This is the specific portion of the blade that connects to the handle. This only serves to give the knife a little more balance.

Proper Storage – Many consumers will toss all of their knives together into a drawer and forget about them. This is a major mistake and could actually cause the blades to become damaged and dull! It is vital to make sure that the knife blades are protected. If your knife comes with a sheath, make sure that you use it every time you store your knife away.

Properly Clean the Knives – Taking the time to properly clean the knives after each use is vital! The majority of knives can be washed by hand and you will want to make sure that you do so with soap and water. Be sure to gently scrub the blade and edge. Dry the knife sufficiently once you’ve finished. Drying will ensure that your knives do not rust or get impacted by corrosion.

Honing the Blades – It is vital to make sure that you properly hone and sharpen the blades on a regular basis! Make sure that you find yourself a suitable knife sharpener for each of your blades. This way, they are able to maintain their sharp edge for many years. It is recommended to do this before each use!

Use a Cutting Board – Although many people do not know it, most blades receive the majority of their damage from their cutting surfaces. For instance, the blade can be damaged when it comes into contact with your countertop or cutting board. When selecting a cutting board, it is best to stay away from glass, marble and ceramic! Instead, you will want to choose a plastic or wooden board. These are way less harmful to your blade edge.

Now that you have learned how to properly care for your kitchen knives, it is time to begin looking at the various knives. Remember that each of them serves a different purpose and you will need to determine whether or not you need one for your kitchen.

Steak Knives

There are many things that you must consider before you actually purchase a set of steak knives. Every housewife has a specific look that she admires and prefers and the same goes with the silverware and cutlery. An aesthetically appealing steak knife is very important, but so is the way it feels in your hand. Read on for a brief introduction to this specific type.

The blade must stand up to being used on a china plate instead of a cutting board. This would dull an ordinary knife, but should not phase the steak knife. After all, it has an edge that is suitable for this type of use. There are several edges to select from, including straight, serrated, and micro-serrated. Each one of these edges will offer you some advantages and disadvantages.

There is one thing to keep in mind when trying to select the perfect edge – the micro-serrated edge is not much better than the straight edge. These edges will wear down over a much shorter period of time than the serrated edge, so you should take this into consideration before you purchase this type of blade.

The straight edge will also dull overtime and will require frequent sharpening. If you are willing to put the time into sharpening and maintenance, then you may very well find this blade edge suitable for your needs.

The serrated edge is the top of the line when it comes to steak knives because they will offer longevity without too much stress or maintenance. This blade will cut through a thick chunk of meat in a matter of seconds. If you want to impress your guests, then this is the steak knife for you. Large serrations will ensure that quick and smooth cut every single time.

Butcher Knives

The butcher knife is a very important tool in your kitchen, especially, if you do a lot of chopping, cutting, and dicing. As the blade is the most important component of the butcher knife, there is not much to be said about the handle. If you are an avid cook, then you most likely utilize your butcher knife quite a bit. That is where the handle comes into play. An ergonomically designed handle is vital for your wrist, hand and fingers. This style is designed to fit your hand like a glove, while offering you a firm grip, which will prevent injuries and pain.

Go on and pay attention to the blade, which should be constructed out of high carbon stainless steel. These materials are guaranteed not to rust or tarnish, which is a necessity. Most manufacturers utilize a special tempering process to produce the perfect edge. This technique is capable of producing sharpness like no other. Of course, this edge will become dull over time, but with the tempering process, you will have the option of sharpening the blade over and over again.

Butcher knives are available in all kinds of sizes, styles and shapes, so you will need to do a bit of research to find all of your options. While most housewives select a smaller knife because it will fit their hands better, others prefer a larger knife, since it will offer them more diversity.

These knives can be quite expensive, which may limit your options, but remember that your butcher knife is going to be one of your most helpful tools in the kitchen.

Cheese Knife

Most households do not really have a cheese knife, but they can actually come in very handy. As the name suggests, the cheese knife serves the sole purpose of cutting through cheese. Of course, it is vital to remember that there is an assortment of different types of cheeses. Therefore, each individual type of cheese will need a different type of cheese knife. In general, the cheese knife typically refers to those that are built specifically for softer cheeses.

When attempting to choose a cheese knife, you will need to examine the particular type of cheese that you are trying to cut through. Softer cheeses actually require a sharper knife. This is the case, as these cheeses tend to be a little bit sticky. It is highly recommended to stick to a serrated blade with numerous holes under such circumstances. These features help to prevent the knife from getting stuck inside the cheese. Typically, these are manufactured with stainless steel, which is capable of resisting the cheese’s stickiness.

For harder cheeses, it’s best to choose a much tougher and more durable knife. The knife should not get damaged too easily when it encounters the hard cheese. Generally, these knives are shorter and quite stubby. They often resemble an oyster knife.

Boning Knife

There are a variety of different foods that contain bones. Obviously, humans are not dogs and they will not enjoy the bones. Therefore, they will need to be removed. If you are going to prepare fish, meat or poultry, you will most likely need a good boning knife. As the name suggests, these knives are specifically built for removing bones from various edibles. These knives have many commonalities though. For instance, the specific boning knives tend to stay within the length range of 5 to 6.5 inches. Of course, there are some specific brands that deviate from this. Some blades may even go up to 9.5 inches or higher, which is amazing.

Regardless of the length, these knives tend to be very thin when compared to other types of kitchen units. This ensures that you will be able to stay precise while clearing bones.

Santoku Knife

The Santoku knife can transform any ordinary kitchen into a butcher shop – only with its presence. This knife offers a diversity of uses, including chopping, dicing, mincing and cutting, so it is surely a must have cutlery tool. But then, what else should you know about the Santoku knife?

The Santoku knife is highly known for its Japanese heritage, but it has grown in popularity among Americans as well. The blade will range in lengths of 5 to 7”, which is suitable for most food preparations and has nearly the same design as a cleaver – just way narrower though.

The sharp edge might be beveled or hollow ground, but one thing is sure – it will be capable of performing over your expectations. The dimples are simply unique and add an aesthetically pleasing look to the overall appearance. This design also prevents the food from sticking to the knife, which will speed up the cutting process.

Carving Knife

Carving knives tend to be much longer than others. Although each brand can deviate, these specific knives tend to remain between 8 to 15 inches in length. They are capable when used for all types of foods, such as meat, roasts and even hams. When compared to the chef’s knife, the carving knife is much thinner. This gives the user the ability to carve thin slices of meat from their particular dish.

These knives come in very handy during holidays. Therefore, it is essential for everyone to stock their kitchen with a durable carving knife.

Ceramic Knife

As the name suggests, the ceramic knife is actually made from ceramic. This is a very hard and tough material that can be more beneficial for specific purposes. Ceramic has become popular in kitchen knives, as they are able of slicing through fruits and vegetables without being negatively impacted by the acids founds within these foods. They are also very good for cutting fine slices.

When compared to metal knives, ceramic knives are capable of holding their edge much longer. Of course, ceramic knives are not perfect. They are actually very brittle and fragile. If you happen to drop one of these knives, it is quite possible for it to break or shatter!

Bread Knife

These specific knives are specifically designed to cut through various types of bread. Almost everyone loves bread, as it is delicious and has so many different purposes. Therefore, it is very helpful for every household! In fact, you should not be surprised if this knife is used on a daily basis.

These knives are typically longer than others. On average, they are approximately 6 to 10 inches. Almost all of these knives feature a serrated edge, which is capable of sawing through the bread. They also feature an offset handle. This helps to ensure that your knuckles will not crash into the countertop,\ when cutting all the way through the bread.

Sushi Knife

If you like to make sushi right in your kitchen, you will definitely need a sushi knife. Every housewife must depend on their sushi knife to do all of the work for them, so that is why it is vital that it is of superior quality.

There are two different types of sushi knives for you to select from, including the one-sided honed edge and the double-edge. Another difference to take into consideration is the blade edge’s angle – including the 50:50 and 70:30. Of course, you will also find the 60:40 and the 90:10 proportions but these knives have a much thinner asymmetrical edge.

Chopping Knife

Typically, the chopping knife is the most frequently used knife in the entire kitchen. In fact, it is often referred to as a chef’s knife or the cook’s knife. Originally, the knife was used to cut through large pieces of beef. In today’s culinary world, it is used with all kinds of purposes. Some novice chefs will actually rely on the chopping knife for anything and everything. It is particularly good for slicing, mincing and especially chopping.

The blades of these knives are typically made with hot forged or stamped methods. They are available in various materials, such as carbon steel, ceramic and stainless steel. There are various edges, including double grind, single ground, hollow-ground and convex. Overall, they are normally about eight inches in length. Suffice to say, all households will need a good chopping knife!

Examples of The Various Kitchen Knives

When attempting to select the very best kitchen knives, you will want to find the best within each category. Below, you will find examples of the best for each.

Steak Knife – When looking for a good steak knife, you should check out the Victorinox Straight Edge Steak Knife. The 4.75 inch knife is excellent and slices through steak effortlessly.

Butcher Knife – If you are looking for an awesome butcher knife, you should check out the Ontario Knife, which is 10 inches in length. This knife will serve you very well, especially when chopping and cutting!

Cheese Knife – The Messermeister Pro-Touch 6-Inch Cheese Knife is an awesome knife in this category. The cheese knife has a quite interesting design, which offers a quick and smooth cut every single time. The Messermeister is a high-quality brand knife that is made of stainless steel. The handle is ergonomically designed and will fit your hand like a glove.

Boning Knife – For your boning needs, you will want to check out the Victorinox 47513. This is an awesome 6-inch knife. It is equipped with a very reliable fibrox handle that will never slip when trying to make those precise cuts.

Santoku – The Victorinox Fibrox 7-Inch Granton is definitely a Santoku knife to be hailed as the king of knives. Simply put, it is equipped with a high-carbon stainless steel blade. The blade was ice tempered to provide a very sharp edge. This knife can easily raise to the NSF standards and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Carving Knife – During holidays, you will need a good carving knife and you should look no further than the Wusthof Gourmet knife! This knife features a 5.5 inch blade and two pronged pointed tips. With this unit, you will face no issues in cutting precise slices from your favorite foods.

Ceramic Knife – If you are looking for a knife that will offer a diversity of uses, you should not pass up the Finesseur chef’s knife. This knife is designed to hold its edge sharpness for a much longer time frame. The blade is made of zirconium dioxide, so it will definitely offer an extended longevity as long as you care for it accordingly.

Bread Knife – The J.A. Henckels International Fine Edge Pro Bread Knife is an awesome choice in this category. It features a lengthy 8-inch blade and a triple riveted handle. The handle ensures that your hand remains comfortable throughout the cut. The serrated blade is excellent for cutting through bread.

Sushi Knife – When interested in a sufficient sushi knife, you will want to check out the Mercer Culinary Sashimi Knife. The knife – which is available in 10 and 12 inches – is perfect for sushi. It will serve you on a daily basis if it has to.

Chopping Knife – The Wusthof Classic 8-Inch is an awesome choice for your chopping knife needs. It is capable of chopping and slicing through various edibles and even the mushy tomatoes! Overall, this well-rounded knife will serve various purposes by the book.

Cooking Knives – These are some of the crucial cutlery tools that cannot be omitted from a kitchen. These knives provide a diversity of uses. The Chicago Cutlery 1119644 Fusion is an affordable set made of high-carbon stainless steel. Also, it comes with a poly comfort grip handle. If you care for these cooking knives according to the manufacturer’s instructions, they will most likely support you for a long time.

Various Brands of Kitchen Knives

You have to explore all kinds of brands when interested to select the right kitchen knife for your needs. There are plenty of models to choose from and their characteristics vary. Below, you will find a little information about the various kitchen knife brands.

Kershaw – Kershaw is responsible for creating a variety of different knives, including kitchen knives and survival knives. This brand offers a wide variety of different kitchen knives. Most of them are awesome. Their Wasabi Chef’s Knife is definitely one of their best.

OXO – OXO makes everything you could every need for the kitchen. It offers everything – from can openers and scissors to kitchen knives. Overall, their knives are surprisingly advanced for their intended purposes. Whether you need a bread or a chef’s knife, you should definitely take a peek at this line from OXO.

J.A. Henckels – This company is “responsible” for various cookware and kitchen knives. They offer several series of knives, including classic and fine edge pro. Each is superb and will serve your needs excellently. Be sure to check out their steak knife sets, which are some of the best on the market.

Chicago Cutlery – Chicago Cutlery opened its doors in 1930 and has become a common household name over the past decades. The company has every type of knife in its portfolio – from the cleaver type all the way down to the steak knife. All knives have the Chicago Cutlery name stamped on them. Employees and engineers on site work diligently to use their expertise craftsmanship and technology to provide the consumer with the highest quality knives on today’s market.

5 Best Kitchen Knives of 2017

Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch

This model is designed to deliver under all circumstances. As a chef’s knife, it is ideal in any kind of operation. It can mince, dice and slice in no time with that 8-inch long blade. The high-carbon stainless steel adds to its efficiency and durability, but the laser designed cutting edge is not to be overlooked either. However, make sure that you care for it by the book. This knife should not be cleaned in a dishwasher, do it manually instead. Otherwise, it will go dull before you even notice it.

Global GS-5 – 5 1/2 inch, 14cm

This knife does not need too many presentations. Its construction will convince you in no time. It is designed to make the difference in any kitchen. Although it is mostly designed for vegetables, it can also be used against all kinds of foods. What really intrigues the audience is the construction – one piece and two materials. The high-tech molybdenum/vanadium stainless steel is ideal for the blade while the dimpled handle is made of simple stainless steel. If you also care about the looks, you can congratulate yourself for a great choice.

Shun DM0707 Classic 10-Inch

Interested in a quality chef’s knife to support your cooking needs for many more years? Consider it done. Shun’s knife carries the Japanese quality standards, which are some of the strictest in the world. For example, the long blade is pressure forged by KAI – a world renowned blade producer. The D-shaped Pakkawood handle leaves no room for mistakes either. Its shape guarantees for a comfortable and quick operation with no pressure on your fingers or hands. If you also count the limited lifetime warranty, you have made the choice of your life.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Pro S 8-inch

A good chef’s knife should never disappoint you. Many of today’s knives do it within a year or two only. Of course, some brands maintain traditions at the highest standards. They just cannot afford to go with the wave and sacrifice quality. This high carbon stainless steel knife will make you feel like a pro. It takes professionalism and puts it into your amateur kitchen. It is strong and sturdy, but it also comes with a razor sharp blade. It works on herbs, fruits, vegetables, meat, among many other foods.

Mac Knife Professional Hollow Edge

This is the ultimate knife if you are interested in quality, style, and speed. The chef’s knife is extremely lightweight when compared to other units in this segment. It is easy to tell why, though – Pakkawood handle. It is made in Japan, but also triple riveted for extra durability. The blade design might look irrelevant to most people. However, those serrations give you the possibility to cut well-known and problematic foods, such as squash and apples. As for the actual appearance, it is not relevant, yet the knife is quite fancy.

Conclusion

Overall, there are many different options available in commerce when searching for a kitchen knife. Rely on the helpful information found above and you will easily narrow down your options in the attempt to purchase the best kitchen knives. Get more knives and your cooking adventures will become a breeze.

knifefellas.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.